Australia could enter their grand final against South Africa - and Ricky Ponting's farewell Test - with a completely different attack from the one used in Adelaide, after Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus were ruled out. Siddle and Hilfenhaus both endured heavy workloads at the Adelaide Oval, where James Pattinson's side injury left Australia one bowler short for most of the match, and the selectors were unwilling to risk them in the decider given the narrow gap between Tests.

That means Australia's chances of reclaiming the No.1 Test ranking, which will be theirs with victory at the WACA, will rest on an attack featuring four of Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood and John Hastings. The offspinner, Lyon, has been included in Australia's 12 but his fate won't be decided until the morning of the match, and a four-man pace attack including the uncapped Hastings and Hazlewood is a distinct possibility.

"At this stage we're only announcing 12. I want to see the conditions tomorrow," the captain Michael Clarke said on Wednesday. "The two players that aren't part of that 12 are Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus. We think both guys are still quite fatigued after Adelaide. We've selected that 12 to give ourselves the best chance of winning this third and final Test match against South Africa.

"[It was a] really tough decision, especially the way both performed. Especially Sidds, the way he performed in that last Test match. But we need to do what's best for the team. It's about selecting the best XI players to win this Test match in these conditions. We feel we've got a really good stock with the other four fast bowlers in the squad of 12, so I think we're still in pretty good hands."

Starc and Johnson, who hasn't played a Test since November 2011, are expected be included, with Hazlewood and Hastings likely to battle for one position if Lyon gets the nod. The Australians chose an all-pace attack at the WACA last summer and had great success, demolishing India within three days, but Clarke said Lyon was still well and truly in contention for a place in this match.

"He's still a chance, that's for sure," he said. "The wicket looks pretty good and I always like having a spinner in the team. Over a five-day period spin will play a part. It does at the Gabba and the WACA. But we need to work out what our best attack is to take 20 wickets. If we think Nathan is part of that, then we go with Nathan. If not, we have the option of going with four fast bowlers."

Whatever Australia's selectors decide, they will have at least one debutant to wear the baggy green alongside Ponting in his 168th and final Test. There is no question it will be an emotional match for the Australians, but they must ensure the feeling surrounding Ponting's farewell does not dim their appreciation of what is up for grabs in this game. If they win, they will return to the top of the Test rankings for the first time since July 2009.

"I think it will only give us more inspiration, there's no doubt about it," Clarke said of Ponting's retirement. "It's a grand final for us. It's why you play this great game, it's the thing you look forward to as a player, to be able to play this third and final Test match against the No.1 team in the world and know if you win, the greatest rewards are to be the No.1 team in the world. Ricky's announcement will only give us more inspiration to do everything we can to try to win this game.

"It's the pinnacle. It's not very often in your career you have an opportunity to beat a team and go back to No.1 Test team in the world. We've got a lot to play for. On the other hand, I don't think there's pressure on us. We can go out and play with freedom, play with confidence. We know we've competed really with South Africa over the first two Test matches. We really love playing in these conditions here at the WACA, a bit more pace and bounce in the wicket."

Not that either side has seen much of the pitch over the past couple of days. Rain showers have meant the covers have often been required, and Clarke said that his glimpse of the playing surface told him it would be a different story to the Adelaide Oval pitch the sides met on last week.

"I think it's going to be tough going for the batters throughout the whole Test match," Clarke said. "It might change with a bit of wind around today, and some sunshine, it might dry out a little bit more."

Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here

Johnson and Hazlewood don't really deserve their spots. Bird surely deserved a consideration with his numbers.

POSTED BY
on | November 30, 2012, 1:20 GMT

If Johnson bowls at his best, all well and good. But if he has a shocker, which he has so many times in the past, he will gift South Africa easy runs and squander the new ball and the pressure. With Ponting retiring and Clarke blooming, this is indeed the new era. So why look to the past and resurrect Mitch Johnson?

POSTED BY
on | November 29, 2012, 18:44 GMT

Second chance for Johnson - hope he makes best use of it. Bird deserves a break.

POSTED BY
bumsonseats
on | November 29, 2012, 18:10 GMT

the sentiments of not handing baggy green caps out willy nilly have gone these days i think you will find are handed out very easily.thats not to say they dont deserve them, its not their fault they are as good as they have got.

POSTED BY
Beertjie
on | November 29, 2012, 18:01 GMT

Hilfenhaus into the wind will be missed which is why Hastings should play. Not sure of Hazlewood but hope he has a good one if he plays. Please get fit Ryan Harris!

POSTED BY
StaalBurgher
on | November 29, 2012, 15:12 GMT

Not the Ricky Johnson show again?!

POSTED BY
on | November 29, 2012, 14:14 GMT

Incredible that a fast bowler, and state cricketer of the year, who has taken around 75 wickets at an average in the teens over the last 12 months of first-class cricket - Jackson Bird - can't find a way to make it into the test team at the WACA when the first four choices (Siddle, Hilf, Pattinson and Cummins) are out. So much for picking on form!

POSTED BY
Big_Maxy_Walker
on | November 29, 2012, 13:52 GMT

I agree with these comments regarding hazlewood. He is averaging nearly 50 runs per wicket in the shield this season, and hastings is a medium pacer. Bird or cutting would have been my pick, i dont know how two lefties will go

POSTED BY
PFEL
on | November 29, 2012, 13:46 GMT

Bird's been bowling on minefields in Hobart. You can't take his fantastic stats at face value.

POSTED BY
landl47
on | November 29, 2012, 13:26 GMT

Assuming both Starc and Johnson play, there will be two left-armers creating rough outside the batsmen's offstump for Lyon to bowl into. Sticking in another seamer in place of Lyon would be pointless, especially if Watson can bowl a few overs. This is South Africa, not India- pace won't worry them too much, it's movement that's needed. If Lyon can get some turn he'll be very useful. I rate Hazlewood and hope he plays. Hastings is a good trundler, but Hazlewood at 197cms tall and 140+ kph is far more likely to worry the South Africans.

POSTED BY
on | November 30, 2012, 1:58 GMT

Johnson and Hazlewood don't really deserve their spots. Bird surely deserved a consideration with his numbers.

POSTED BY
on | November 30, 2012, 1:20 GMT

If Johnson bowls at his best, all well and good. But if he has a shocker, which he has so many times in the past, he will gift South Africa easy runs and squander the new ball and the pressure. With Ponting retiring and Clarke blooming, this is indeed the new era. So why look to the past and resurrect Mitch Johnson?

POSTED BY
on | November 29, 2012, 18:44 GMT

Second chance for Johnson - hope he makes best use of it. Bird deserves a break.

POSTED BY
bumsonseats
on | November 29, 2012, 18:10 GMT

the sentiments of not handing baggy green caps out willy nilly have gone these days i think you will find are handed out very easily.thats not to say they dont deserve them, its not their fault they are as good as they have got.

POSTED BY
Beertjie
on | November 29, 2012, 18:01 GMT

Hilfenhaus into the wind will be missed which is why Hastings should play. Not sure of Hazlewood but hope he has a good one if he plays. Please get fit Ryan Harris!

POSTED BY
StaalBurgher
on | November 29, 2012, 15:12 GMT

Not the Ricky Johnson show again?!

POSTED BY
on | November 29, 2012, 14:14 GMT

Incredible that a fast bowler, and state cricketer of the year, who has taken around 75 wickets at an average in the teens over the last 12 months of first-class cricket - Jackson Bird - can't find a way to make it into the test team at the WACA when the first four choices (Siddle, Hilf, Pattinson and Cummins) are out. So much for picking on form!

POSTED BY
Big_Maxy_Walker
on | November 29, 2012, 13:52 GMT

I agree with these comments regarding hazlewood. He is averaging nearly 50 runs per wicket in the shield this season, and hastings is a medium pacer. Bird or cutting would have been my pick, i dont know how two lefties will go

POSTED BY
PFEL
on | November 29, 2012, 13:46 GMT

Bird's been bowling on minefields in Hobart. You can't take his fantastic stats at face value.

POSTED BY
landl47
on | November 29, 2012, 13:26 GMT

Assuming both Starc and Johnson play, there will be two left-armers creating rough outside the batsmen's offstump for Lyon to bowl into. Sticking in another seamer in place of Lyon would be pointless, especially if Watson can bowl a few overs. This is South Africa, not India- pace won't worry them too much, it's movement that's needed. If Lyon can get some turn he'll be very useful. I rate Hazlewood and hope he plays. Hastings is a good trundler, but Hazlewood at 197cms tall and 140+ kph is far more likely to worry the South Africans.

POSTED BY
on | November 29, 2012, 13:01 GMT

Got to play Lyon. Watson is playing so why have four front line seam bowlers? Get Lyon in for the variety. My selfish motivation is that I can't stand watching a match with only seam bowlers, as it is good to have the pace of the match change when a spinner or two is introduced. I rate Lyon and think he will get better and better. Brave bowler. I hope the match goes to the last day (after australia score 700 in the first innings and SA have to bat for three days to save it :) )

POSTED BY
Marcio
on | November 29, 2012, 12:16 GMT

@mondotvm Hazlewood too slow for test cricket? He bowls at around 140 clicks. How fast do you want him to be? He ambles up to the wicket, as does Starc, but both generate good pace and bounce. Apparently Hazelwood bowled some fantasic spells in the game before his selection. Sometimes the public is not provy to what is whispered by the players, and the word is that Hazelwood is simply fantastic. I agree his stats don't warrent selection, but that was not the criteria here. The same for Johnson. Apparently he has bowled some top-notch stuff this season, and at almost express pace. The talk is that he is brim full of confidence. I suspect that he will be a real handful here. Hope I'm right, and we don't see the other side of him, where he can be just awful.

POSTED BY
MosesAna
on | November 29, 2012, 12:13 GMT

I can tell you we Saffas don't want MJ against us, that guy always seems to reserve his best for us.

I really do hope this wicket gives the quicks some assistance, will be awesome to see the fast men on either side really making the batsmen earn ever run and the quality of the batting on both sides means it will be high entertainment with a result.

POSTED BY
satish619chandar
on | November 29, 2012, 12:01 GMT

MJ in Perth is as good as any bowler anywhere. Starc actually deserved to be in the team long before. So they both should be ready and Hazzlewood was very good in recent games. Even if Australia sends in a new bowling attack, it should be equally potent as the old one if not more potent. Siddle/Hilfy can play as fourth seamer and Clarke and Warner can share the spinner role if there is any on offer.

POSTED BY
Simoc
on | November 29, 2012, 11:25 GMT

With Watson likely to be called on for a lot of 'welcome back work' I'de expect the wickets will all go to pacemen and spin may be only used to rest the quicks. From what Clarke was implying, batting is going to be difficult so at a guess Lyon won't play. Looking forward to some great fast bowling action and quick scoring.

POSTED BY
Sarangarajan
on | November 29, 2012, 10:43 GMT

Wonder how effective Johnson is going to be. He has been very poor in his control and speed and has not done much to warrant his recall to the test team.He will be a cannon foddeer for the likes of Smith/Kallsi/Amla/Devillers.Ofcourse Strac and Hazelwood would be exciting to watch.

POSTED BY
Potatis
on | November 29, 2012, 10:38 GMT

I suppose the selectors must be resting Bird for his next shield game.

POSTED BY
Dashgar
on | November 29, 2012, 10:14 GMT

Really hope Hazelwood doesn't debut. Hasn't put in the work or the performances yet to earn a baggy green. Can't hand them out willy nilly. Players need to earn them. I hope he develops into a good player but at this stage we have many better out there. Hope Hastings and Johnson go well, but we are going to miss Siddle, he's essentially been our vice captain leading the bowling attack.

POSTED BY
mondotv
on | November 29, 2012, 9:58 GMT

Why aren't the selectors looking at the leading wicket takers in the shield.. Hazlewood is clever but too slow for test cricket. I'd go with Jackson Bird.. tall and hits the wicket hard - will be a very difficult proposition on the WACA and the ideal chance to blood him. Would have provided a real counterpoint for the two left armers.. and without Siddle Aust needs an enforcer.

POSTED BY
jonesy2
on | November 29, 2012, 8:47 GMT

i am very excited to see a MJ comeback bowling with starc and hazlewood. perfect debut for hazlewood at the WACA, he should be immense

POSTED BY
FazleAbed
on | November 29, 2012, 8:43 GMT

Great for Australia. Now they have Cummins, Strac, Patinsson, Ben, Siddle, Jhonson, Mcay, Bollinger, Hazelwood. I believe they need 2-3 bowlers who can seriously spin the ball. Lyon is the only one currently available

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
FazleAbed
on | November 29, 2012, 8:43 GMT

Great for Australia. Now they have Cummins, Strac, Patinsson, Ben, Siddle, Jhonson, Mcay, Bollinger, Hazelwood. I believe they need 2-3 bowlers who can seriously spin the ball. Lyon is the only one currently available

POSTED BY
jonesy2
on | November 29, 2012, 8:47 GMT

i am very excited to see a MJ comeback bowling with starc and hazlewood. perfect debut for hazlewood at the WACA, he should be immense

POSTED BY
mondotv
on | November 29, 2012, 9:58 GMT

Why aren't the selectors looking at the leading wicket takers in the shield.. Hazlewood is clever but too slow for test cricket. I'd go with Jackson Bird.. tall and hits the wicket hard - will be a very difficult proposition on the WACA and the ideal chance to blood him. Would have provided a real counterpoint for the two left armers.. and without Siddle Aust needs an enforcer.

POSTED BY
Dashgar
on | November 29, 2012, 10:14 GMT

Really hope Hazelwood doesn't debut. Hasn't put in the work or the performances yet to earn a baggy green. Can't hand them out willy nilly. Players need to earn them. I hope he develops into a good player but at this stage we have many better out there. Hope Hastings and Johnson go well, but we are going to miss Siddle, he's essentially been our vice captain leading the bowling attack.

POSTED BY
Potatis
on | November 29, 2012, 10:38 GMT

I suppose the selectors must be resting Bird for his next shield game.

POSTED BY
Sarangarajan
on | November 29, 2012, 10:43 GMT

Wonder how effective Johnson is going to be. He has been very poor in his control and speed and has not done much to warrant his recall to the test team.He will be a cannon foddeer for the likes of Smith/Kallsi/Amla/Devillers.Ofcourse Strac and Hazelwood would be exciting to watch.

POSTED BY
Simoc
on | November 29, 2012, 11:25 GMT

With Watson likely to be called on for a lot of 'welcome back work' I'de expect the wickets will all go to pacemen and spin may be only used to rest the quicks. From what Clarke was implying, batting is going to be difficult so at a guess Lyon won't play. Looking forward to some great fast bowling action and quick scoring.

POSTED BY
satish619chandar
on | November 29, 2012, 12:01 GMT

MJ in Perth is as good as any bowler anywhere. Starc actually deserved to be in the team long before. So they both should be ready and Hazzlewood was very good in recent games. Even if Australia sends in a new bowling attack, it should be equally potent as the old one if not more potent. Siddle/Hilfy can play as fourth seamer and Clarke and Warner can share the spinner role if there is any on offer.

POSTED BY
MosesAna
on | November 29, 2012, 12:13 GMT

I can tell you we Saffas don't want MJ against us, that guy always seems to reserve his best for us.

I really do hope this wicket gives the quicks some assistance, will be awesome to see the fast men on either side really making the batsmen earn ever run and the quality of the batting on both sides means it will be high entertainment with a result.

POSTED BY
Marcio
on | November 29, 2012, 12:16 GMT

@mondotvm Hazlewood too slow for test cricket? He bowls at around 140 clicks. How fast do you want him to be? He ambles up to the wicket, as does Starc, but both generate good pace and bounce. Apparently Hazelwood bowled some fantasic spells in the game before his selection. Sometimes the public is not provy to what is whispered by the players, and the word is that Hazelwood is simply fantastic. I agree his stats don't warrent selection, but that was not the criteria here. The same for Johnson. Apparently he has bowled some top-notch stuff this season, and at almost express pace. The talk is that he is brim full of confidence. I suspect that he will be a real handful here. Hope I'm right, and we don't see the other side of him, where he can be just awful.